The season five premiere of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” delivered the highest ratings in series history. The episode was watched by 17.3 million viewers and 11 million adults aged 18-49, increases of 7% and 6%, respectively, over the season four premiere, the previous record-holder. “The Walking Dead” continues to be the #1 show on television among adults 18-49. Last night’s episode outperformed everything else on television in this key demographic, including Sunday Night Football, by over 2.5 million adults 18-49. With time-shifted playback, the season five premiere should exceed 22 million viewers.

“It’s a Dead man’s party. Who could ask for more?” said Charlie Collier, AMC president. “Enormous thanks to our friends and executive producers Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Greg Nicotero – who also directed last night’s terrific premiere – Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Tom Luse and all of their fellow producers, cast and crew for everything they do to make the #1 show on television such a unique and incredible experience for the fans. ‘The Walking Dead’ is one of those increasingly rare shows today that can command a live audience not significantly cannibalized by time-shifted viewing. Who would have thought that cannibalized television could be curtailed by cannibal-ized television?”

AMC announced today from Comic Con International in San Diego, CA the premiere of “The Walking Dead” season five on Sunday, October 12 at 9pm ET/PT. As in previous seasons, the series’ fifth season of 16 episodes will air in two-parts with the first eight hours kicking off October 12 and the final eight episodes returning February 2015. Following “The Walking Dead” will be the season premieres of AMC’s unscripted series “Talking Dead,” hosted by Chris Hardwick (Nerdist), at 10pm ET/PT and “Comic Book Men” at midnight ET/PT. Internationally, “The Walking Dead’ will return to audiences in 125+ FOX International Channels (FIC) markets within 24 hours of the U.S. broadcast, as part of FIC continued commitment to broadcast the series near date-and-date globally.

“From the opening tease in the premiere onward, season 5 is without question the most ambitious and satisfying season this amazing team has ever crafted” said Charlie Collier, AMC president. “In the zombie apocalypse, event television is alive and well, and I am proud to acknowledge that this uniquely talented writing staff, production team and cast have once again raised the bar (and the crossbow).”

The season premieres of “The Walking Dead,” “Talking Dead” and “Comic Book Men” will coincide with AMC’s Zombie Apocalypse Week, from Monday, October 6 through Sunday, October 12, as well as the network’s annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films, AMC Fearfest. Celebrating its 18th year, AMC Fearfest will feature themed programming and more than 70 films, running from Friday, October 17 through Friday, October 31.